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Post by seenvic on Jun 6, 2011 9:55:34 GMT -5
I think the lake would be a far better scene for the picnic. You have to admit that the lake area resembles Lick Fork We staged from there several years back and one of the previous Lick Fork camp ground host was there. Great conversation with him. Don't see any reason though to move our one day event to that area. Fell offers a quick drop-in to the trail system. We always start from Fell when camping at Hickory Knob State Park. MD Lick Fork is way better than Fell, IMHO for a picnic. Fell is the better place to start a ride and that is the only thing it has over the Parson's Mtn Lake area (or Lick Fork). I haven't parked at the lake in years as I don't go up there to picnic. I also park at Fell because the ride is better to start from there. But if I was going to camp/picnic with friends/family, I would head for Parson Mtn Lake where there is water, more shade and less horse poop Fell works great for our gig. And really is the best place to start a ride because it is the easiest place to resuppply if doing the Full Monte up there.
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Post by Mark Y on Jun 6, 2011 10:12:08 GMT -5
Just out of curiosity, which staging point would have the easiest section of trail for the beginner? I assumed it would be from Fell to Big Rock, but that section was a bit longer and more strenuous than I recalled. Several of the less experienced struggled on it (myself included, but that was simply heat intolerance/out of condition), and as an "Explore the Trails" event, you want the noobs to have a more positive experience. If Fell is it, then maybe we suggest an out and back of about 1/2 that distance?
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Post by seenvic on Jun 6, 2011 10:36:56 GMT -5
No doubt your answer is Fell.
Fell has the easiest access to the machine built trail. It is machine built right at the sign. From the Lake, you only have quick access to the most primitive parts of the trail. The trail starting at 505/506 is old school and that spot is the furthest from us.
Fell is the best for what we need. Fell is the best for a day ride in which you need to swing back to your car for supplies. PM Lake is the best if you gonna camp, or if the you are just going to have a picnic/swim/hang out and riding isn't part of what you are looking to do.
A shorter version of an out/back from Fell would be to turn around at Memorial Bridge.
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Post by dgaddis1 on Jun 6, 2011 11:17:47 GMT -5
Sorry I wasn't able to make the ETTR, looks like a good time was had by all. But, after seenvic told me how great the trail conditions were I headed up there yesterday with a friend from Atlanta. He had some mechanical issues so we cut the ride a little short, but still ended up with a little over 23 miles for the day. Had my first experience with someone who apparently doesn't like sharing the trail. When we got to Fell I couldn't remember where the trail was, so I asked a group of equestrians in the camp. The first guy I asked said he wasn't sure, but he pointed towards a big ol' boy and said "that guy will know for sure though." This is how the conversation went: ME: Excuse me, do you know where the trail starts? HIM: I don't know nothin' about no bicycle riding - I don't ride bicycles. ME: .....right, but we all use the same trail, it's a multi-use trail. HIM: I don't know nothin' about no bicycle riding. ME: I see. Enjoy your ride. The next people I asked (also equestrians) were very friendly and helpful, they pointed me in the right direction. We had a great ride, love the 'big flow' section between C/G.
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Post by Angela on Jun 6, 2011 11:45:23 GMT -5
Just out of curiosity, which staging point would have the easiest section of trail for the beginner? I assumed it would be from Fell to Big Rock, but that section was a bit longer and more strenuous than I recalled. Several of the less experienced struggled on it (myself included, but that was simply heat intolerance/out of condition), and as an "Explore the Trails" event, you want the noobs to have a more positive experience. If Fell is it, then maybe we suggest an out and back of about 1/2 that distance? Actually the hardest part about communicating things like this is you can't always tell what a person can handle and how far they can go by looking at them. I ride Century road rides at least once a year and I'm sure to the average person I don't look like I can do that. I'd probably be offended if someone signing me up for the ride said "are you sure you can ride 100 miles" We try to give as much information as we possibly can so people can match their personal ability with the ride which is why in earlier threads on this ride I described it as between Turkey and FATS and there would be a 15 mile option. I think Brown Wave is just under 11 miles so that should give someone a pretty good point of reference. What I like best about a trail like that is people can easily call it part way in and head back out. I will say that people do tend to push themselves harder in larger groups, just human nature so it can be hard to set the pace - it's rare for people to speak up sometimes or even turn back. Not sure what the solution to that is.......I really think all we can do is educate about type of trail and distance - maybe next time get a ride leader for a 5 mile out option or even less if anyone is interested!
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Post by seenvic on Jun 6, 2011 13:03:38 GMT -5
I think Brown Wave is just under 11 miles so that should give someone a pretty good point of reference. What I like best about a trail like that is people can easily call it part way in and head back out. On an out/back....I'd agree with what Angela is saying. Part of the beauty of it is each person can turn around where he/she wants/needs to. 11 mile Brown Wave?
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Post by Angela on Jun 6, 2011 13:23:00 GMT -5
Sorry Bill - I count the mileage on each of them from the parking lot particularly if I am talking to someone who is going to ride a single trail - if a rider goes from the parking lot, down to Brown Wave and back to the parking lot along the top of the Skinny I am pretty sure that is just at 11 miles.
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Post by seenvic on Jun 6, 2011 14:06:48 GMT -5
10.6 Miles. I ride that more than you would think. It is a great ride if I have little time.
I call it "The Gaper Route". Because so many people ride that route.
Believe it or not I rode with this cat out there who could flat out ride. And he'd never been on Deep Step, Great Wall or Lower Skinny. This was back when we only had 4 loops out there and he moved away before Big Rock and Tower were built. He only rode Upper Skinny - BW - Upper Skinny. I thought he was pulling my leg when he told me that.
It was the first thing he ever rode at FATS. He always timed himself and every lap after the first was a race to beat his best time.
I told him he was a bit nuts and to follow me. I promptly turned onto Deep Step and changed his life forever!
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Post by seenvic on Jun 6, 2011 14:12:44 GMT -5
Dustin - I'd say you caught the rare bad egg. My experience with equestrians at LCHT has been the exact opposite. 3 weeks ago I actually borrowed an allen wrench from an equestrian as I had to lower a seatpost for someone borrowing a bike. Fella was quite happy to lend me a hand.
Saturday. Ted, Chris and I saw several equestrians loading up. We rode the Southern Loop, and when we got to Memorial Bridge, they were there. We dismounted the bikes, walked up to them and talked for 5-10 minutes. It could not have been more pleasant.
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Post by Mark Y on Jun 6, 2011 14:53:27 GMT -5
One of the local guys reminded everyone of the trail etiquette when sharing with horses and seemed quite adamant about it, so I just assumed there was a lot of mutual respect going on between the two groups.
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Post by dgaddis1 on Jun 6, 2011 14:56:24 GMT -5
One of the local guys reminded everyone of the trail etiquette when sharing with horses and seemed quite adamant about it, so I just assumed there was a lot of mutual respect going on between the two groups. There is. That one guy was the only one unfriendly, everyone I spoke to was super nice. Last time I rode out there (with seenvic actually) we stopped and chatted with a group of riders and one lady commented how wonderful the trail was, and the fact that we can all share and enjoy it together.
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Post by brianW on Jun 6, 2011 15:14:31 GMT -5
Sadly "That one guy" is in all activities let it be equestrian, hunting, hiking, any team sport and yes mt biking. Being polite back is most likely the thing they do not expect and of course the thing anyone should do.
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Post by dparrott on Jun 16, 2011 21:09:27 GMT -5
When I rode the full figure 8 a couple years back, I met a friend camping there at Parsons Lake. After the ride, we couldn't pull our shoes, socks and jerseys off fast enough to jump in the lake. If the lake area has a day use pavilion, that would be the place to go for a big event like this.
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